Paper-folding machine.



No. 870,903 7 PATENTEDNOVJIZ- 1907- C. L. RICE.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE-10, 1907,

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PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907.

0. L. RICE PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10, 1907.

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No. 870,903. PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907. O. L. RICE.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10. 1907.

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1H! uoxms PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, b, :4

No. 870,903. PATENTED-NOV. 12, 1907..

.0. L. RICE.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10, 1907.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

'rm: NORRIS PETERS cm, wnsnmaz'ou, n. c.

'PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907.

C. L. RICE.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 10, 1907.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

n NORRIS pnzns 50., wasumnrou, u. c.

PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907.

0. L. RICE.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILED JUNE 10, 1907.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907.

' G. L. RICE.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED mm 10, 1907.

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CHARLES LEWIS RICE, OF GHIPPEWA COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

PAPER-FOLDING MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1907.

Application filed June 10. 1907- Serial No. 378230.

To all whom 'it may concern:

tion of the invention will be given, reference being had Be it known that 1, CHARLES LEWIS RICE, a citizen 1 to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive which show a four-fold maof the United States, residing in the county of Chippewa and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Papcrd olding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to improvements in paper-folding machines, the construction and advantages of which will be hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a transverse vertical sectional view of the machine, taken on the line ].-1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 a front elevation of the machine, portions being broken away to more clearly illustrate certain parts; Fig. 3 a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, and illustrating more particularly the stacker mechanism and one of the flexible aprons which, in

conjunction with a fixed board, forms the pocket into which the first folder descends carrying with it the pape yonce folded; Fig. 4 a longitudinal vertical sec tional view, taken on the line 4 4, Fig. .l, and looking toward the-rear of the machine; Fig. 5 a horizontal sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 a per spective view of the first and third folders, the oscillating member of the stacker and the mechanism for operating such parts; Fig. 7 a similar view of the movable abutment ,or holder for the folded papers; Fig. 8 a perspective view of the second and fourth folders and the mechanism for operating the same; and Fig. 9 a vertical sectional view illustrating a different form of stacker which is employed with a three-folder machine.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a simple and compact machine for folding papers, the machine being operable by foot power, so that it may be employed in small plants where power is not available; the machine may, however, be driven by power.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient mechanism for making the various folds, said mechanism embodying in addition to the folding blade or knife a fixed and a yielding wall, the latter yielding or moving outwardly to a slight extent I each time a folded paper is forced down between the walls by the blade, whereby the folded edge of the paper will be grasped and held as the blade is with- I pointed out.

chine.

The table or bed of the machine is designated by 1 and is supported by legs 2 connected by suitable longitudinal sills 3 and cross-pieces or braces 4. Other supports and braces are employed and will be hereinafter A shelf 5 extends along the front of the machine, while a shelf 6 is arranged in the rear of the machine.

A longitudinally-disposed slot or opening 7, Fig. 3, is formed in the table, the upper edges of the walls of the slot being rounded, as shown, to facilitate the entrance of the paper which is forced downwardly therethrough by the folding-blade 8, Figs. 2 and 6. Standing in line with the inner wall of the slot are twovertically-disposed walls or boards 9 and 10, Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the adjacent edges of the walls being separated and rounded, as best shown in the the latter figure. A single board with a slot therein may, of course, be used.

Seem-ed to the lower cut-away portions of the walls are aprons 11 and 12, each apron passing up and over a loop 13 secured to the under face of the table. .To the downwardly-extending free end of each apron, or arod or bar secured thereto, is attached a spring 14, the spring serving to keep the aprons taut butallowing them to yield under undue pressure, as when a paper becomes crumpled, or thelike. The apron likewise acts to hold the folded paper as the blade is retracted, and also permits a ready withdrawal of the paper by the second folder 15, which carries the folded paper in between the edges of the walls 9 and 10 and between spring-sustained aprons 16 and 17, Figs. 1 and 4, mounted in the same manner as aprons 11 and 12, and fixed boards or walls 18 and 19. The adjacent edges of these boards or wallsare rounded, in order that the folding blade 20 may readily force the now doubly-folded paper between them to form the third fold. The paper is carried by this folder over a slotted board or table 21 and beneath two spring-sustained aprons 22 and 23. The paper thus thrice folded lies beneath the fourth folder 24 which as it descends carries the paper through the rounded edged slot in the table, making the fourth fold and carrying the completely folded paper into the stacker. To assist in holding the folded paper as the blades are retracted, the boards, which work in conjunction with the aprons, are provided with roughened portions 12", made by securingsecti0ns of sandpaper 01' the like thereto.

Folder 8 is secured at its inner end to a slide 25 which is seated and is movable up and down in ways formed in a supporting bar or member 26, the upper end of which passes through an opening in the table, the lower end, see Fig. 2, being secured to a bolt 27 which in turn is adjustably attached to one of the sills 3. By this means the bar or column 26 may be tilted slightly and as a consequence the blade 8 may be brought to its proper position. A bracket or arm 28, Fig. 2, is secured:to:the bedjand extends outwardly along one side of the folder-blade 8, the bracket being provided at its outer end with an overhanging finger 29, between which and the bracket the bhtde passes as it nears its limit of upward movementZ fThe guide thus formed serves to steady and direct the movement of the blade,

The main driving shaft 30 receives its motion from a power shaft 31 and interposed pinion 32 and gear 33, shaft 31 carrying at one end a crank 34 which is connected to the treadle 35 by a pitman 36. Shaft 31 also carries a fly-wheel 37.

Mounted upon and rotatable with shaft 30 are two double or wing-shaped cams 38 and 39. cam 38 operating the mechanism which controls the first and third folders (8 and 20) and also the oscillating member of the packer, these parts being shown in detail in Fig. 6.

Journaled upon a shaft 40, Figs. 1 and 5, at a point below the cam 38, is an arm or lever 41 having two curved fingers or cam faces. 42' and 43 designed to coact with the wings of cam 38 as the same is rotated in the direction of the arrow, Figs. 1 and 6. To the lower end of the arm or lever 41 is pivotally connected a link 44, which in turn is pivoted to the short arm 45 of a bellcrank lever secured to-a shaft 46fthe long arm 47 of the lever being connected with the lowerend of a link or pitman 48, the opposite end of which is pivotally connectedzwith the slide 25 which operates the first folder 8.

An arm 49, secured to shaft 46, is pivotally connected to a pitinan 50, the latter being similarly connected to an arm 5l, secured to a vertically-disposed shaft 52. To the upper end of said shaft is secured an arm 53 and a pitman or link 54 is interposed between said arm and 55 which embrace a rod 56,. Fig. 5, that extends lengthwise ofthe machine and upon which the folder is moved back and forth. When the folder 20 is retracted it is maintained in its horiaontal position by a shelf or bracket 57, Figs. 4 and 5, which is secured upon a cross piece 58. 2

An arm 59 is secured to shaft 46, the arm being con nected by a link 60 with the upper end of an arm (31 secured to a rocker-shaft 62. An arm. 63 extends upwardly from the shaft and carries the plate 64, which forms the oscillating member of the packer. A counterweight 65 is mounted on a threaded arm 66, secured to shaft 46, see Figs. 1, 4 and 5, said weight acting to balance-the parts and render the action of the same easy. By having the cam or curved face 42 made relatively long the cam 38 moves the same at a relatively slow speed, this taking place when the folders arc operating, the long face also affording'increased leverage. The face 43 is short and as the cam 38 strikes it, a relatively quick. return movement of the parts is effected.

Pivoted upon a short shaft 67, Fig. 5, or other suitable support, is an arm 68, carrying at its upper end curvedfingers or cam faces 69 and 70, see Fig. 8, adapted tocoact with the winged earn 39. A link 71 connected to the lower end of arm 68 is in turn connected to an arm.72 at about its midlength, the arm being secured to a rocker-shaft 73, journalcd in the framing of the or rod 89.

upper end of arm 72, the link extending downwardly and being connected to a slide 75 which carries the second folder 15. Said slide is mounted and movable in a horizontally-disposed way or support 76 secured to the upright framing of the machine. A guide and sustaining finger 77, Figs. 1, 2 and 5, is provided for the folder 15.

A short arm 78 is secured to shaft 73 and a link 79 connects said arm with a lever 80. Said lever is connected to an arm 81, the parts being fulcrumed at their point of connection on a bracket 82 secured to the forward sill 3, see Figs. 2 and 5. A pitman or link 83 connects the outer end of the arm 81 with a slide 84 to which the fourth or final folder 24 is attached. Said slide is mounted in a vertically-disposed supporting bar or column 85, Figs. 4 and 5, the upper end of the column passing through an opening formed in the table 21, while the lower end is held by a bolt 86 made adjustable so that the column may be properly positioned. A counterweight 87 is secured-to shaft 73.

Secured beneath table 21 and to one side of the opening formed therein, see Fig. 3, is an open frame composed of an upper cross-bar 88, the under edge of which is curved, and a lower round cross-bar 89, the latter being held in position by depending wings, 90. The papers which are given their last fold by the blade 24 as they are passed through the opening formed in the table 21, come in front of the bar 88 and cross-bar After the blade is retracted or elevated, the push-plate 64 forces the folded paper between the lower rounded portion of the cross-bar 88 and the round cross-bar 89 and against a plate or abutment 91, extending upward from a frame 92, carried by a pair of arms 93, said arms being provided at their lower ends with halfboxes 94, which rest upon the shaft 62.

Extending outward from the frame 92 at the lower end of the abutment 91 are two curved or radius arms 95 whichiwork immediately below the cross-rod or bar 89 and serve to support the papers, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. An arm 96 also extends outwardly from the frame 92 at a point'below the radius arms 95 and to the outer end of said arm 96 is connected a rope or cable 97 which passes about a pulley 98 arranged in the lower portion of the frame and over a second pulley 99 secured in a bracket located beneath the main table. The cord or rope then extends downwardly between two guide-ways 100 and 101 (see Fig. 2), passing freely through weights 102, 103, and being connected to a weight 104 arranged in the lower portion of the guideways. Stops 105 and 106 arrest the downward movement of the upper weights 102 and 103, the lower weight 104 at all times exerting force upon the rope or cable. As the folded papers increase in numberand come to rest upon the curved or radius arms 95, the arms 93 with the frame and abutment member 91 will be swung outward and as a consequence the weight 104 will be raised. As the papers accumulate they will have a tendency to throw the arms and frame downward, but as the frame swings the weight 104 will colne into contact with weight 103 and raise the same off its support, thereby adding the amount of the weight 103 to the cord 97, whereby the frame with the added weight of the papers will be counterbalanced. A further downward movement of the frame will carry weight 103 against weight 102, lifting the same from itssupport 105, so that as the papers increase in bulk and weight the counter-balancing thereof is automatically effected.

It is thought that the operation of the machine will be clearly understood from the foregoing description, but a short resume thereof will be given. The two cams 38 and 39 are set quartering upon shaft 30 so that the first and third folders are first actuated and then Withdrawn and after they come to rest the second and fourth folders are actuated by the cam 39. The pushplate 64 comes into action at the same time the first and third folders are operated, the fourth folder 24 at i such time being elevated and out of the path of the push-plate which serves to force the last completelyfolded paper between the bar 88 and rod 89 and against the stack of papers previously folded. This cycle of operation continues so long as the papers are fed to the an opening 108, the lower portion of which is slightly 'less in dimensions than the folded papers. A pushplate 109 WOlkS through the opening and after the third folder is retracted moves downwardly to push the papers through the opening and onto a plate 110 carried by a bracket 111 slidably mounted upon a rod 112. The bracket is thrown upwardly by a cord or cable 113 which passes over a pulley 114, the cord acting with a series of Weights, as in the construction above described; The, plate 109 is carried by an arm 115 also slidably mounted upon the rod 112. A link or rod 116 is pivotally connected to arm 115 and to an arm 117 fulcrumed upon a bracket 118 secured to the frame of the machine. Rocking motion is imparted to the arm through a link 119 and an arm 120 pivotally connected to the link and secured at the opposite end upon the shaft 73 which is the same as the corresponding shaft in the main form of the machipe above described.

It is conceivable, of course, that in so far as the details of the invention are concerned they may be modified in part without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a folding machine, the combination of a fixed wall forming one member of a folding slot; a flexible apron arranged adjacent thereto; means for placing said apron under a yielding tension; and a folding-bladc adapted to work between, the wall and the apron.

2. In a machine for folding papers, the combination of a fixed wall; an apron secured adjacent to one end there of, said apron extending alongside of the wall; means for maintaining the apron in a stretched condition; and a folding-blade passing down between the apron and the wall.

3. In a machine for folding papers, the combination of a fixed wall; an apron secured adjacent to one end of said wall and extending alongside of one face thereof; a spring serving to keep said apron taut and a foldingblade adapted to Work between said fixed wall and the apron.

4. In a machinefor folding papers, the combination of a fixed wall; an apron having one end secured adjacent to one end of the wall; a fixed support arranged adjacent to the other end of the wall and over which the apron is drawn; means for placing said apron under tension; and

i a foldingblade adapted to pass between the apron and the fixed wall.

5. In a machine for folding papers, the combination of a fixed wall provided with a slot or opening therein for the passage of a folder transversely to the wall; a pair of aprons arranged adjacent to the'face of the wall upon opposite sides of the slot or opening therein; means for placing said aprons under tension; a folder adapted to pass down between said aprons and the wall and a second folder adapted to pass at right angles to the path of move merit of the first folder and to carry each folded paper through the slot in the wall.

6. In a machine for folding papers and the like, the combination of a fixed member provided with a slot or opening therein; a pair of aprons lying adjacent in one face of said fixed member and upon opposl ,e sides of the slot therein; a foldei blade adapted to pass in between said aprons and the fixed member; a second folder-blade adapted to pass through the slot in the fixed member; and a receiver for the folded papers located beneath the slot and in the path of movement of the second i'oldcr blade.

7. In a machine for folding papers, the combination of folding mechanism; and a receix'er for the folded papers. said receiver comprising a swinging member carrying an abutment plate, a pair of curved arms extending outu'ardly therefrom, means for holding said member toward the folding mechanism, and a push-plate adapted to transfer the folded paper from the position in which it was left i by the folder against the abutmentplate or the previouslyfolded, transferred paper.

8. In a machine for folding papers, the combination of folding mechanism; an open frame arranged adjacent: to the folding mechanism and against which the folded paper is deposited, the opening in the frame being slightly less than the dimensions of the folded paper; a swinging frame arranged adjacent to the open frame; means for urging the swinging frame toward the open frame; supporting members carried by the swinging frame; and a push-plaie adapted to force the folded papers through the opening in the fixed frame and onto the supporting members carried by the swinging frame.

E). In a machine for folding papers, the combination of folding mechanism; a fixed frame arranged adjacent to the folding mechanism against which the folded paper is adapted to be deposited, said fixed frame having an opening therein of a size slightly less than that of the folded paper; a swinging frame; means for urging said swinging frame toward the fixed frame; a pair of curved arms ex tending outwardly from the swinging frame beneath the fixed frame; and a push-plate adapted to be projected against the folded paper-and to carry the same through the opening in the fixed frame and onto the arms carried by the swinging frame 10. In a machine for folding papers, the combination of folding mechanism a fixed frame arranged adjacent there to, said frame being provided with an opening slightly less in size than the folded paper; a swinging frame arranged in rear of the fixed frame; a pair of curved arms extending outwardly from the swinging frame at a point immediately below the fixed frame; a series of pick-up weights connected to the swinging frame; a push-plate adapted to force the papers through the opening in the fixed frame, and to deposit them upon the arms of the swinging frame; and means for periodically operating said pushplate.

11. in a machine for folding paper, the combination of a bed; a supporting column passing through an opening formed therein; a bolt secured to the lower end of said column; means for securing longitudinal adustment of the bolt. whereby the inclination of the column may be varied; a slide mounted within the column; and a folderblade carried by the slide.

12. In a machine for folding papers, the combination of thereby: a folding-blade adapted to form the first fold in a paper; another foldingblade adapted to form the third fold in the paper; a push-plate; connections inter-mediate said parts and one of the cams for operating said mem hers in unison and positively in both directionsfa folderblade for forming the second fold in the paper; a fourth folder-blade for forming the fourth fold in the paper;

a main operating shaft; a pair of winged cams carried connections intermediate said parts and the second cam, for operating said blades in unison and positively in both directions; and a receiver or stacker for the folded papers, into which the papers are projected by the push-plate.

13. In a machine for folding papers, the combination of a suitable bed or frame for supporting the parts; a main operating shaft provided with a pair of cams; a blade for forming the first fold in a paper; a blade for forming the third fold in the paper; a push-plate; connections intermediate said parts and one of the cams for moving said parts in unison; a blade for forming the secondfold in the paper; a blade for forming the fourth fold in the paper; connections intermediate said parts and the second cam for-operating the parts in unison and while the first and third folding-blades and the push-plate are at rest and in their retracted positions; a swinging frame arranged to one side of the path of travel of the fourth folding-blade and adapted to receive the papers moved thereon by the push-plate; and means for counterbalancing said frame as it is swung outwardly by the increasing number of folded papers deposited thereon.

14. In a machine for folding papers, the combination of folding mechanism; a member located adjacent thereto, said member having an opening therein of a size slightly less than that of the folded paper; a movable abutment or holder for the folded papers; a push-plate adapted to force the foldedpapers through the opening and onto the holder; and a series of pick-up weights connected to the movable abutment and serving as the load upon the abutment increases to be successively brought into action and to thereby substantially counterbalance the abutment.

15. In a folding machine, the combination of a fixed member forming one wall of a folding slot; a flexible apron arranged adjacent to said member and forming the opposite wall of the folding slot; means for maintaining said apron under tension; a folding blade adapted to Work between the fixed member and the apron and a roughened surface located adjacent to the lower portion of the fixed member and serving to hold the folded paper as the blade is withdrawn from between the folds of the paper, substantially as described.

16. In a folding machine, the combination of a. fixed member forming one wall of a folding slot; at flexible apron standing adjacent to said member and substantially coextensive therewith, said apron forming the opposite wall of the folding slot; and yielding means for normally holding said apron in a stretched condition.

17. In a folding machine, the combination of a fixed member forming one wall of a folding slot, said member being provided with a slot or opening; a pair of flexible aprons standing adjacent to the fixed member upon opposite sides of the slot, each of said aprons being substantially coextensive with that portion of the fixed member with which it coacts; a folder for carrying the paper between said fixed member and the aprons; and a second folder acting to force the folded paper through the openin; and to form a second fold therein.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this "specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES LEWIS RICE.

Witnesses D. A. McLAnrY, A. E. BATCHELDEIL 

